Pilea is a genus of perennials and annuals of the Nettle family. The natural habitat for her is the tropical forests of almost the entire planet. Plants are so diverse that it is sometimes difficult to combine them under one name. They are grassy and semi-shrub forms with embossed or variegated leaves. Caring for a saw is quite simple. Thanks to the graceful leaves, it touches the year round with unusual beauty.
Plant description
Pilea is a tropical culture grown in our latitudes indoors. The plant, covered with charming decorative foliage, grows no more than 40 cm in height. It forms compact sockets with branched, straight or creeping stems. Leaves on flexible petioles are opposite. They have a round, oblong or ovoid shape. There are naked or pubescent varieties. Depending on the type, the sheet size can vary greatly. It is from 3 mm in diameter to 5-10 cm in length. The edges of the leaves are serrate or solid.
In the summer, in the axils of the leaves, small racemose blossoms with tiny, nondescript flowers bloom. Corollas of a yellowish, pink or creamy green hue attract little attention. In sunny weather, just touch the flowers, as a small cloud of pollen rises into the air. Pollen is transferred to neighboring plants and pollinates them.
After pollination, small seed bunches mature. An interesting feature of pylaea is the distribution of ripened fruits. They have long, sterile stamens, which, under the weight of the ripened fetus, straighten and, like a catapult, throw seeds over long distances. The fact of distribution of fruits to a distance of 100 m was recorded.
Types of Pilea
Pilea is very diverse, there are more than 400 varieties in the genus. Sometimes they are very different from each other. Some of the types:
Pilea Kadier. An elegant herbaceous plant is distinguished by a strict pattern on oblong leaves. The sheet plate with serrated edges is painted dark green. In the central part along the veins there are symmetrical whitish spots. The leaf length reaches 10 cm and a width of 4-5 cm. Thin flexible shoots are densely covered with glossy foliage and often hang. The decorative variety "minima" is a miniature copy of the Kadieu saw. He completely copies its shapes and colors, but more than 2 times less than the main form.
Peperia pear-shaped. A tiny plant has a dense erect stem. On it on long stalks are rounded leaflets. In shape, they look like leaves of water lilies. The glossy surface is visible through a network of embossed veins. The foliage is painted in a rich bright green color.
Small-leaved pylaea. The plant has fleshy, erect shoots of a pink or green hue. On the branches close to each other there are many tiny leaves 3-5 mm long. Fleshy shiny leaves transmit light and have a bright green color. Thanks to them, the plant is very decorative and has an openwork appearance.
Pylea monolithic. Ground cover perennial consists of creeping shoots with tiny soft leaves of a rounded shape. The diameter of silver-green leaves does not exceed 1 cm. They form a continuous hat and resemble a dense green carpet.
Pilea Spruce. Perennial with lodging shoots grows 20 cm in height. It is distinguished by thickened leaf blades of light green color. The leaves are mottled with grooves along the veins, so it seems that there are bubble growths on the sheet. The recesses are shaded in burgundy or brown. The teeth are visible along the edge of the sheet, and the end is elongated and pointed.
Breeding
Pilea can be propagated by seeds and cuttings. It is almost impossible to get ripe seeds at home, and it’s not always possible to get them in stores. Germinate seed material in containers with sand and peat soil. They are deepened by 0.5 cm and covered with a film. Inputs appear within 3-4 weeks. Plants are thinned out, and with the advent of 4 real leaves, they dive in separate pots. For young pilas it is especially important to maintain high humidity. Without it, they die quickly.
Amateur gardeners are more likely to use the Cherenkov method. Throughout the year, you can cut the tops of shoots 5-8 cm long. Each stalk should have 2-4 pairs of leaflets. Root them in the water. With the advent of the first roots, plants are planted in humus-rich soil with lots of sand. Cuttings contain under a cap, but regularly ventilate. When the flower takes root well and starts to sprout, it is taught to grow without shelter for 10-12 days.
Home Care
Pilea is planted in small, small pots with loose, well-drained soil. The plant prefers neutral or slightly acidic soil. In the soil mixture you need to add turf soil, leafy humus, sand and peat. A thick layer of drainage is necessarily laid out at the bottom of the pot. The rhizome of pylaea is not deep from the surface, so the plant cannot be deepened too much. A flower transplant is performed in the spring, every 1-2 years.
Lighting. Pilea does not like falling on direct sunlight. Penumbra or diffused light is preferred. The flower is placed in the back of the room or on the eastern, western window sills. In summer, pylaea are exposed onto the street or balcony. Need a canopy and protection against drafts.
Temperature. Pilea does not tolerate heat well; the environment should be moderately warm. It is advisable not to increase the temperature near the plant above + 25 ° C. In winter, a cool content is recommended at a temperature of + 16 ... + 18 ° C.
Humidity. Pileas live in the tropics, so they need high humidity (65% and above). At the same time, it is not recommended to spray the crown, so as not to damage the leaves. Use trays with water, wet expanded clay or moss, as well as humidifiers. Earth and leaves should not come in contact with water.
Watering. Between watering the top layer of the earth should dry out. At the same time, the roots do not withstand severe drought. Water the plants with well-purified, soft water. Excess fluid should leave the soil and sump immediately.
Fertilizer. In the spring and summer, the sawfly is actively increasing its green mass and needs regular feeding. A solution of mineral fertilizer for decorative and deciduous plants is poured into the ground twice a month. Even in winter, top dressing does not stop completely. Monthly make half a portion of fertilizer.
Trimming and rejuvenation. The stems of pylaea grow quite quickly, while their lower part can be exposed and lose attractiveness. To maintain the compactness of the bushes, they are regularly trimmed, thereby stimulating the formation of side shoots. After 3-4 years, the saw is rejuvenated. The cuttings are rooted, and the old plant is destroyed.
Possible difficulties
Pilea is sensitive to flooding and is easily affected by powdery mildew. It is necessary to strictly follow the recommendations for watering and humidifying the air. When a grayish plaque appears on the leaves and stem, as well as a putrid odor, pruning and fungicide treatment are performed.
Of the parasites, mealybugs, spider mites and thrips bother me the most. Parasites are destroyed by insecticides.
If the leaves of pylae began to frown and fall off, then the temperature regime in the room is violated. It is necessary to raise or lower the temperature to + 20 ... + 25 ° C. The leaves turn pale and lose their mottled color in too bright a light. With a lack of light, the leaves become smaller, and the shoots are very elongated.
